SAN BERNARDINO — The son of former Mayor Judith Valles has landed a contract with the city to collect on roughly $6 million in outstanding penalties assessed against properties not up to code.

Attorney Chadwick Bradbury, who has a private practice in Palm Desert and worked as an in-house litigator for the San Bernardino City Attorney’s Office from July 3 to Wednesday, Jan. 9, will receive a $6,000 monthly retainer and a 25-percent commission on all monies he collects for the city, according to his contract – approved by the City Council on a 6-1 vote on Dec. 17.

Bradbury, 53, of Palm Desert, began his new job as a contract employee for the city on Thursday, Jan. 10.

City Attorney James Penman said the city has fallen behind on its collections from noncompliant property owners and that the city’s bankruptcy has prompted aggressive action.

“This is money that’s out there that we need to go after,” Penman said.

Councilman Fred Shorett, the only council member who voted against the contract, said the contract is too lucrative and unnecessary given the resources the City Attorney’s Office already has at its fingertips.

“I don’t understand why we should be paying a $6,000 monthly retainer. It doesn’t make any sense,” Shorett said. “And a 25-percent commission is ridiculously high.”